Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-07-15
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE
EXERCISES or THE THIRD DAY OF ITS
ANNUAL MEETING.
Thoughtful Lectures by j. o. Norris, j. c.
Greenough and j. NJ. Sauvin and an
able address by Rev. q. y. Gif-
ford-Interesting Exercises.

The exercises of the third day of the
American Institute of instruction opened
with well-rendered selection by a male
quartette consisting of Messrs. Hopkins,
Swift, Sherman and Cornell. Prayer was
offered by Rev. DR.. Eaton, pastor of the
Methodist Episcopal church in this city,
and the audience joined with the choir in
singing the Portuguese hymn, Messrs.
Davis and Sherman accompanying the
singing with the piano and cornet. Presi-
dent Hall then introduced Mr.. j. A. Nor
ris, head-master of the Charlestown high
school, Boston.
ADDRESS OF MIR. NORRIS.
am asked to speak on the Extra Pro
fessional Duties and Privileges of Teach.
ers," but what | shall have to say applies
to the extra professional duties of every
one. The best way to put boy to school
is to give him complete teacher. 1t is
the duty of every man to be whole man,
symmetrically and well developed. At
the outset ! may be met with the remark,
shoemaker, stick to thy last" but that
does not mean Shoemaker, stick thy
last to thee" What is the highest and
truest end of life and how shall that end be
reached This is the sum of the whole
matter Science and culture have differ
ent ways of answering it, but there is Il
family likeness running through them
both. How shall the individual be brought
into harmony with this truth Faith
alone is not enough. One must think
right and devise right means to secure
this end. 1t is a matter of little import
ance exactly how this takes place. But
the test question is, is the work improv
ing to the individual himself and to 9th
ers
Some of the lines of thought outside
the realms of daily life may well be con-
sidered. We should study ourselves with
a view of knowing our weaknesses and
excuses Perfect clearness of vision is
not possible but we can learn something
of our own characters. Self study is the
noblest kind of study. The teachers priv
ileges and duties in religious matters
were next touched upon. They should
take an especial interest in Sunday school
work. The privileges of teachers as clti-
zens were considered. One right opinion
and deep conviction may be of more &C
count than many votes. We need an in
telligent knowledge of our needs as cit-
zens and a courage to carry out what we
know is for the best. The privileges and
duties of the teachers to society was the
last topic touched upon. Entertainment
is an Improvement on amusement. Every
teacher shonld try to do some work out
side of that belonging to his daily work
We must overcome our natural inertia
which will increase unless put out of
sight The busiest men, who behave
themselves, live longest Good earnest
work does not injure any one, but con
tinual plodding is like the dry rot to the
human constitution. A growth in one
direction means strength and power in
another The nearer we approach to the
stature of pure manhood the more we
shall succeed in our vocation. These
truths will be impressed too on the minds
n good
Mr.. Norrs's remarks were pithy and so
well expressed that they could not fail of
making an impression on the audience
Mr.. j. C, Greenough, principal of the
State Normal School, Westfield, Mass,
next spoke on "Individualism in Teach
ing
MR.. GREENoUGH'S LECTURE.
Individuaiism is the quality by which
different objects are distinguished. No
two people are just alike. individuality
of civilization is marked by this feature.
The progress of teaching, calls for dis
play of it in the teacher Under present
conditions what can be done for the i'm
provement of this trait of character In
the first place the teacher mnst DC himself
and in order to attain this he must know
himself. Much stress is i'll our own time
put upon method. But the individuality
of the teacher says that he must master
the methods of teaching for himself
When one by general course OF study has
come to know himself how shall he apply
himself Most teachers are obliged to
teach several studies, but every one should
push some one study in accordance with
his own ideas. 1t is not by any one study
or by any course of study that mental
power is generated. One way to gain this
power is to select some range of thought
in, xr-h inh han n IN n % dol th 10
secret of education lies in method and in
he who yields it," says a writer. We
have considered the one who yields it
now let US consider the methods. The
use of real objects and subjects in teach
ing will not necessarily produce
good results, unless the pupil
can make them a part of his
thought and be allowed to eX-
press his ideas in his own way. Pupils
should study by themselves and form
their own opinions. The study of con
science more especially demands indvldu
atty. The use of books and lectures that
prevents the individuality of the pupil
from showing itself should not be allow
ed. In literature he should be compelled
to make his own criticisms instead of
committing to memory those made by 9th
ers Nature in all her teachings favors
individuality. Finally moral teaching of
all other branches should be of this char
acter. The human will is an individual
power, first cause. This inner self, as
will determines the identity of man dur
ing all the changes of body and mind In
order to change the current OF Il soul the
teacher must have an insihgt into that
soul and know him individually. In all
moral training nothing is really gained
until the pupil takes up the question
and decides it for himself. We should
not rest until he has begun his moral
training. Then the teacher must assist
him, but not in such a way as to destroy
his individuality. To every human soul
is assigned his place in life. AS we de-
velop this soul in the pupil we help him
to accomplish his own proper work in life
1t is only when it is strengthened by the
Divine will that this soul finds its true
place in life.
Mr.. Greenough's paper showed him tc
be deep thinker and his thoughts were
closely followed by all present.
With Mr.. Davis as accompanist, Mr.
Cornell sang solo.
President Hall then introduced Mr.. j
NJ. Sawin, principal of Point street school
Providence, r. l., who spoke on "The Lit